Method for order receipt production of electric wire and its order receipts production system

ABSTRACT

A method and a system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, possible to save the cost and materials, is provided. A system  1  includes an order-receiving section  10,  a manufacturing section  11  and a coloring/cutting section  12.  The order-receiving section  10  receives orders of electric wires, and outputs a first datum of amount of electric wires DT 1,  informing a length of a monochromatic electric wire, and outputs a second datum of amount of electric wires DT 2,  informing lengths for respective colors of electric wires. The manufacturing section  11  manufactures a monochromatic electric wire according to the first datum DT 1  and conveys the electric wire to the coloring/cutting section  12.  The coloring/cutting section  12  colors and cuts the electric wire according to the second datum DT 2.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing electric wires byordering and a system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering to bemanufactured and delivered to an orderer, the electric wire being usedfor a wiring harness or the like for interconnection of a car as avehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

An electric wire is made by continuously coating synthetic resin on anelectric conductor so that manufacturing longer wire gives betterproductivity and electric wires usually may be manufactured underminimizing changes of coating colors as much as possible. Thus, usuallya longer electric wire is manufactured without change of a coatingcolor. Usual shipping units are large lot sizes of long wires and aresold by piece of respective colors required by an, orderer at awarehouse of an electric wire dealer. A wire harness for interconnectingwith many wire colors may be used in a car, a domestic electric product,an aircraft and an electric machine.

Many electronic apparatuses are installed in a car as a vehicle. Then,wire harnesses interconnect electronic apparatuses in the car to supplyelectric power from an electric power source to the electronicapparatuses and to output control signals from a computer to theelectronic apparatuses. A wire harness comprises a plurality of electricwires and a connector being joined with an end of the electric wire.

An electric wire includes an electrical conductive core wire and aninsulating covering for coating the core wire. The electric wire is aso-called coated electric wire. A connector is provided with a terminaland an insulating connector housing. The terminal is made of anelectrical conductive metal plate or the like. The connector housing isformed into box-shape for receiving the terminal. By mating theconnector with a connector in an electronic apparatus, the wire harnesstransmits required electric power and signals to the electronicapparatus.

Respective electric wires of the wire harness are required to bedistinguishable about a size of core wire, a material of a covering(some coverings of some electric wires may require heat resistance) anda purpose of use. The purpose of use is for a control signal of anairbag, ABS (Antilock Brake System) or car speed information or forcontrolling a car about respective systems, such a power transmittingsystem.

The electric wires of the wire harness are colored variously todistinguish the purpose of use (system). An electric wire is usuallymade to coat a core wire with a colored synthetic resin in which arequired coloring material is mixed.

Therefore, in a factory of electric wires, electric wires of all colorsordered by an orderer are manufactured respectively and cut in apredetermined length, such as 500 or 2000 meters and bundled. In processfrom receiving an order to delivering required electric wires to anorderer, bundles of electric wires with requested colors are shippedfrom a factory of electric wires to a distribution center, and at thedistribution center the bundled electric wires are cut in respectivelyrequired lengths, and are delivered to the orderer. Or, a number ofbundles of electric wires to meet order amount are delivered to theorderer.

Objects to be Solved

According to usual method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering asmentioned above, electric wires are respectively cut in for example500-2000 meters and are bundled at a factory of electric wires. At thefactory of electric wires, many various color electric wires, which maybe required by an orderer, are manufactured. Furthermore, bundles ofelectric wires are cut in respective lengths corresponding to amount ofan order of an orderer at a distribution center. Or, a number of bundlesof electric wires to meet order amount are delivered to the orderer.

When a number of bundles of electric wires to meet order amount aredelivered to the orderer, the orderer may purchase amount of electricwires more than required amount. Therefore, when the orderermanufactures above-mentioned wire harnesses or other products using theelectric wires, the cost of the products may be increased. Furthermore,when the bundled electric wires are cut in respectively required lengthsat the distribution center and are delivered to the orderer, remainingelectric wires may exist respectively on each color at the distributioncenter.

Thus, according to the usual method of manufacturing electric wires byordering as mentioned above, at least one of a distribution center andan orderer may have amount of electric wires more than required amountso that it is undesirable for saving materials.

Each color electric wires are manufactured respectively at the factoryof electric wires so that a large room for storing electric wires isrequired at the factory of electric wires and the distribution center.Therefore, the productivity of wire harnesses is declined so that costsof products using the wire harnesses may be increased.

To overcome the above drawback of prior art, one object of thisinvention is to provide a method of manufacturing electric wires byordering and a system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering whichcan restrain increasing costs of products using electric wires such aswire harnesses and can save materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

How to Attain the Object

In order to attain the objects, a method of manufacturing electric wiresby ordering according to this invention, comprises the steps ofmanufacturing a monochromatic electric wire in a required length afterreceiving an order of an electric wire, coloring outer surface of themonochromatic electric wire, cutting the electric wire in the requestedlength, and delivering the electric wire to an orderer.

According to the above method, after receiving an order of an electricwire, a monochromatic electric wire is manufactured in a requiredlength. Therefore, amount (length) of the electric wire stored inadvance can be restrained. Furthermore, a monochromatic electric wire isused so that a number of kinds of electric wires (color) stored inadvance can be restrained.

A monochromatic electric wire is manufactured in a required length andis colored on the outer surface thereof in the requested color and iscut in the requested length and delivered to an orderer. Therefore,amount of an electric wire stored temporarily can be restrained. Themonochromatic electric wire may be colored in one color and cut in therequested length or may be colored in multi colors and cut in requestedlengths for respective colors.

The method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, mentioned above,is further characterized that the electric wire being manufactured inrequired length after receiving an order of an electric wire iscolorless.

According to the above method, an electric wire manufactured afterreceiving an order of an electric wire is colorless. Therefore, thecolorless electric wire can be colored securely in the requested colorwhenever it is necessary.

“colorless”, mentioned herein, means “of natural color” of syntheticresin, structuring a covering of an electric wire, in which variouscoloring material is not contained or not coated. The outer surface ofthe electric wire has the natural color of the synthetic resin.

“coloring an electric wire”, mentioned herein, means “coloring outersurface of covering of the electric wire with a coloring material”. Thecoloring material is a liquid material made by dissolving or dispersinga color substance (industrial organic material) in a water or othersolvent. Dye or pigment is used as a color substance. The coloringmaterial herein means both a coloring liquid and a color-coatingmaterial.

The coloring liquid is made by that dye is dissolved or dispersed in asolvent. The color-coating material is made by that pigment is dispersedin a fluid dispersion. When coloring the outer surface of the electricwire with a coloring liquid, the dye penetrates in the covering. Whencoloring the outer surface of the electric wire with a color-coatingmaterial, the pigment adheres to the outer surface without penetratingin the covering. Thus, “coloring outer surface of covering” herein means“dyeing outer surface of a covering with a dye partly or throughout” or“coating outer surface of a covering with a color-coating materialpartly or throughout”.

The solvent and the fluid dispersion may have preferably an affinity forsynthetic resin of the covering of the electric wire. Thereby, a dye canpenetrate securely in the covering or a pigment can adhere securely tothe outer surface of the covering.

A method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering according, to thisinvention, comprises the steps of manufacturing a monochromatic electricwire in a required length after receiving an order of an electric wire,coloring outer surface of the monochromatic electric wire respectivelyin multi colors, cutting the electric wire in requested lengths forrespective colors, and delivering the electric wire to an orderer.

According to the above method, after receiving an order of an electricwire, a monochromatic electric wire is manufactured in a requiredlength. Therefore, amount (length) of the electric wire stored inadvance can be restrained. Furthermore, a monochromatic electric wire isused so that a number of kinds of electric wires (colors) stored inadvance can be restrained.

A monochromatic electric wire is manufactured in a required length, andcolored on the outer surface thereof in multi colors, and cut inrequested lengths for respective colors, and delivered to an orderer.Therefore, amount of an electric wire stored temporarily can berestrained.

The method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, mentioned above,is further characterized that the electric wire being manufactured inrequired length after receiving an order of an electric wire iscolorless.

According to the above method, an electric wire manufactured afterreceiving an order of an electric wire is colorless. Therefore, thecolorless electric wire can be colored securely in the requested colorwhenever it is necessary.

A system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, according to thisinvention, includes an order-receiving section for receiving orders ofelectric wires, a manufacturing section for manufacturing electricwires, and a coloring/cutting section for coloring an electric wire inthe requested color and cutting the electric wire in the requestedlength, the order-receiving section generating a first datum of amountof electric wires informing a required length of the electric wireaccording to amounts of the electric wires ordered by an orderer andoutputting the first datum of amount of electric wires to themanufacturing section, the order-receiving section generating a seconddatum of amount of electric wires informing lengths for respectivecolors of the electric wires according to amounts of the electric wiresordered by an orderer and outputting the second datum of amount ofelectric wires to the coloring/cutting section, the manufacturingsection manufacturing a monochromatic electric wire in amountcorresponding to the first datum of amount of electric wires andconveying the monochromatic electric wire to the coloring/cuttingsection, the coloring/cutting section coloring the monochromaticelectric wire and cutting the colored electric wire according to thesecond datum of amount of electric wires, and delivering the electricwire to the orderer.

According to the above system, after receiving an order of an electricwire, the order-receiving section outputs the first datum of amount ofelectric wires, informing a required length of the electric wire, to themanufacturing section, and outputs the second datum of amount ofelectric wires, informing lengths for respective colors of the electricwires, to the coloring/cutting section. The manufacturing sectionmanufactures a monochromatic electric wire in a required amount andconveying the monochromatic electric wire to the coloring/cuttingsection. Therefore, amount (length) of the electric wire stored at themanufacturing section in advance can be restrained. Furthermore, amonochromatic electric wire is manufactured at the manufacturing sectionso that a number of kinds of electric wires (color) stored at themanufacturing section in advance can be restrained.

At the manufacturing section, a monochromatic electric wire ismanufactured in a required length, and at the coloring/cutting section,the monochromatic electric wire is colored on the outer surface and cutin respectively requested lengths, and delivered to the orderer.Therefore, amount of an electric wire stored temporarily between themanufacturing section and the coloring/cutting section can berestrained. The monochromatic electric wire may be colored in one colorand cut in the requested length or may be colored in multi colors andcut in requested lengths for respective colors.

The system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, mentioned above,is characterized that the electric wire being manufactured in requiredlength after receiving an order of an electric wire is colorless.

According to above system, an electric wire manufactured after receivingan order of an electric wire is colorless. Therefore, the colorlesselectric wire can be colored securely in the requested color whenever itis necessary.

The system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, mentioned above,is further characterized that, when receiving an order of an electricwire from an orderer, the order-receiving section outputs a first datumof confirmation informing a delivery date and a price of the electricwire toward the orderer.

According to the above system, after receiving an order of an electricwire, the order-receiving section outputs the first datum ofconfirmation informing the delivery date and the price of the electricwire toward the orderer. Therefore, the orderer can confirm the deliverydate and the cost of electric wires being ordered.

The system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, mentioned above,is further characterized that, when the first datum of amount ofelectric wires is received from the order-receiving section, themanufacturing section outputs a second datum of confirmation, informinga date possible to convey amount of the electric wire corresponding tothe first datum of amount of electric wires to the coloring/cuttingsection, toward both of the order-receiving section and thecoloring/cutting section.

According to the above system, the manufacturing section outputs thesecond datum of confirmation, informing the date possible to convey amonochromatic or colorless electric wire, toward both of theorder-receiving section and the coloring/cutting section. Therefore,status of process for manufacturing electric wires can be checked at theorder-receiving section. Furthermore, at the coloring/cutting section,the date when a monochromatic or colorless electric wire is conveyed canbe confirmed.

The system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, mentioned above,is further characterized that, when the second datum of amount ofelectric wires is received from the order-receiving section and thesecond datum of confirmation is received from the manufacturing section,the coloring/cutting section outputs a third datum of confirmation,informing a date possible to deliver the electric wire colored and cutcorrespondingly to the second datum of amount of electric wires to theorderer, toward the order-receiving section.

According to the above system, the coloring/cutting section outputs thethird datum of confirmation, informing the date possible to deliver theelectric wire colored and cut correspondingly to the second datum ofamount of electric wires to the orderer, toward the order-receivingsection. Therefore, status of process for manufacturing electric wirescan be checked securely at the order-receiving section.

The above and other objects and features of this invention will becomemore apparent from the following description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of an embodiment of a system ofmanufacturing electric wires by ordering according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram, showing a basic structure of anorder-receiving section in the system of manufacturing electric wires byordering in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart, showing the steps of process for manufacturing awire harness by the system of manufacturing electric wires by orderingin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a draft, showing the structure of the first coloring/cuttingdevice of the system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering in FIG.1;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an electric wire before being coloredby the first coloring/cutting device;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the electric wire after being coloredby the first coloring/cutting device;

FIG. 5A is a draft, showing the structure of the second coloring/cuttingdevice of the system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering in FIG.1;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an electric wire before being coloredby the second coloring/cutting device;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of an electric wire before being coloredby the second coloring/cutting device; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an electric wire manufactured by thesystem of manufacturing electric wires by ordering in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A system of manufacturing electric wires by ordering according to afirst embodiment of this invention will now be described with referenceto FIG. 1-6. A system 1 of manufacturing electric wires by ordering(shown in FIG. 1) according to a first embodiment of this invention is asystem for manufacturing an electric wire 3 shown in FIG. 6.

The electric wire 3 structures a wire harness being wired in a machinesuch as a car. The electric wire 3, as shown in FIG. 6, is provided withan electrical conductive core wire 4 and an insulating covering 5. Thecore wire 4 is formed with stranded conductors. The conductor formingthe core wire 4 is made of an electrical conductive metal. The core wire4 may be formed with one conductor.

The covering 5 is made of synthetic resin such as polyvinylchloride(PVC). The covering 5 covers the core wire 4. Outer surface 5 a of thecovering 5 is colored in the requested color Q. The outer surface 5 acorresponds to outer surface of the electric wire 3 mentioned above.

The plural electric wires 3 are bundled and at least one end thereof maybe joined with a connector or the like to form the wire harnessmentioned above. The connector is mated with a connector in each ofvarious electronic apparatuses in a car so that the wire harness, i.e.the electric wire 3, transmits various signals or electric power torespective electronic apparatuses.

The system 1 of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, as shown inFIG. 1, includes an order-receiving section 10, a manufacturing section11 and a coloring/cutting section 12. The order-receiving section 10 hasa portable computer (call PC hereafter) 10 a with RAM, ROM and CPU. ThePC 10 a of the order-receiving section 10 is connected with a portablecomputer (PC) 6 a at a first orderer of electric wires 6, a portablecomputer (PC) 7 a at a second orderer of electric wires 7, themanufacturing section 11 and the coloring/cutting section 12 through anetwork path. The first orderer of electric wires 6 and the secondorderer of electric wires 7 correspond to the orderer mentioned above.

A first datum of received orders D1 corresponding to order amount of theelectric wire 3 is inputted from the PC 6 a at the first orderer ofelectric wires 6 into the PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10. Thefirst datum of received orders D1 contains requested lengths forrespective colors of the electric wires 3. A second datum of receivedorders D2 corresponding to order amount of the electric wire 3 isinputted from the PC 7 a at the second orderer of electric wires 7 intothe PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10. The second datum ofreceived orders D2 contains requested lengths for respective colors ofthe electric wires 3.

After receiving orders of the electric wires 3 from the first orderer 6and the second orderer 7, the PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10controls the manufacturing section to manufacture a monochromatic P(shown in FIGS. 4, 5) electric wire 3 in a required length. The PC 10 ain the order-receiving section 10 controls the coloring/cutting section12 to color the electric wire 3 having monochromatic P outer surface 5 amanufactured by the manufacturing section 11 in the requested color Qand to cut the electric wire 3 in the requested length. Thereafter, thePC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10 controls the coloring/cuttingsection 12 to deliver the electric wire 3 therefrom to the first orderer6 and the second orderer 7.

The PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10 simultaneously outputs afirst datum of confirmation DK1, informing a delivery date and a priceof ordered electric wire 3, based on a later-described second datum ofconfirmation DK2 and a later-described third datum of confirmation DK3respectively to the first orderer 6 and the second orderer 7.

The second datum of confirmation DK2, informing the date possible toconvey the electric wire 3 with a monochromatic P outer surface 5 amanufactured completely from the manufacturing section 11 to thecoloring/cutting section 12, is inputted into the PC 10 a in theorder-receiving section 10. Furthermore, the third datum of confirmationDK3, informing the date possible to deliver the electric wire 3 beingcolored on the outer surface 5 a in the requested color Q and cut in therequested length from the coloring/cutting section 12 to the firstorderer 6 and the second orderer 7, is inputted into the PC 10 a in theorder-receiving section 10.

The PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10 is a control apparatushaving a sequence program to supply information required formanufacturing an electric wire 3 (later-described data DT1, DT2) to themanufacturing section 11 and the coloring/cutting section 12, accordingto order amount from the first orderer 6 and the second orderer 7.Later-described sequence process by the PC 10 a in the order-receivingsection 10 can be done manually, or by an apparatus having mechanicaland electrical information.

The PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10, as shown in FIG. 2,includes a data-processing module 13, a module for generating the firstdatum of amount of electric wires 14, and a module for generating thesecond datum of amount of electric wires 15. The data-processing module13 is connected through respective input/output modules 16 with the PC 6a at the first orderer of electric wires 6 and the PC 7 a at the secondorderer of electric wires 7. The first datum of received orders D1 andthe second datum of received orders D2 are inputted into thedata-processing module 13.

The data-processing module 13 generates a datum of amount of electricwires DT by means of processing data related with the electric wire 3 bya program stored in a database 17, and calculating colors of outersurfaces and lengths for respective wire sizes (wire diameters) ofrequired electric wires 3 with addition of the first datum of receivedorders D1 and the second datum of received orders D2. Thedata-processing module 13 outputs the datum of amount of electric wiresDT respectively to the module for generating the first datum of amountof electric wires 14, and the module for generating the second datum ofamount of electric wires 15.

Furthermore, the data-processing module 13 is connected throughrespective input modules 18 with the manufacturing section 11 and thecoloring/cutting section 12. The second datum of confirmation DK2 fromthe manufacturing section 11 and the third datum of confirmation DK3from the coloring/cutting section 12 are inputted into thedata-processing module 13. The data-processing module 13 generates thefirst datum of confirmation DK1 by means of using the database 17 withthe second datum of confirmation DK2 and the third datum of confirmationDK3. The data-processing module 13 outputs the first datum ofconfirmation DK1 through the input/output module 16 respectively to thefirst orderer 6 and the second orderer 7.

The module for generating the first datum of amount of electric wires 14generates a first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 by means ofprocessing data related with the electric wire 3 by a program stored ina database 17, and calculating wire lengths for respective wire sizes(wire diameters) of required electric wires 3 with the datum of amountof electric wires DT. The module for generating the first datum ofamount of electric wires 14 outputs the first datum of amount ofelectric wires DT1 through an output module 19 to the manufacturingsection 11. The first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 informs wirelengths for respective wire sizes. (wire diameters) of required electricwires 3 corresponding to order amount of the electric wires 3 from thefirst orderer 6 and the second orderer 7.

The module for generating the second datum of amount of electric wires15 generates a second datum of amount of electric wires DT2 by means ofprocessing data related with the electric wire 3 by a program stored ina database 17, and calculating colors of outer surfaces 5 a and wirelengths for respective wire sizes (wire diameters) of required electricwires 3 with the datum of amount of electric wires DT. The module forgenerating the second datum of amount of electric wires 15 outputs thesecond datum of amount of electric wires DT2 through the output module19 to the coloring/cutting section 12. The second datum of amount ofelectric wires DT2 informs wire lengths for respective colors andrespective wire sizes (wire diameters) of required electric wires 3corresponding to order amount of the electric wires 3 from the firstorderer 6 and the second orderer 7.

A factory of electric wires, for example, is used as the manufacturingsection 11. When the first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 isinputted, the manufacturing section 11 manufactures electric wires 3with monochromatic P outer surface 5 a in required lengths aboutrespective wire sizes by the first datum of amount of electric wiresDT1. The outer surface 5 a of the electric wire 3 with at least samewire size, manufactured by the manufacturing section 11, has the samecolor. The outer surfaces 5 a of all electric wires 3 manufactured bythe manufacturing section 11 have preferably the same color.

When the first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 is inputted, themanufacturing section 11 generates the second datum of confirmation DK2.The manufacturing section 11 outputs the second datum of confirmationDK2 respectively through the input module 18 to the data-processingmodule 13 and to the coloring/cutting section 12. The manufacturingsection 11 conveys the electric wires 3 manufactured accordingly to thefirst datum of amount of electric wires DT1 to the coloring/cuttingsection 12.

The manufacturing section 11 may manufacture colorless electric wires 3as monochromatic P electric wires. “colorless”, mentioned herein, means“of natural color” of synthetic resin, structuring a covering 5 of anelectric wire 3, in which various coloring material is not contained sothat “colorless” electric wire is one of monochromatic P electric wires.

A distribution center of electric wires 3, for example, can be used asthe coloring/cutting section 12. When the second datum of amount ofelectric wires DT2 is inputted and the monochromatic P electric wire 3is conveyed from the manufacturing section 11, the coloring/cuttingsection 12 colors the electric wires 3 respectively in requested color Qand cuts the electric wires 3 respectively in requested lengths for eachwire sizes according to the second datum of amount of electric wiresDT2. When the first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 is inputtedand the second datum of confirmation DK2 from the manufacturing section11 is inputted, the coloring/cutting section 12 generates the thirddatum of confirmation DK3. The coloring/cutting section 12 outputs thethird datum of confirmation DK3 generated thereby through the inputmodule 18 to the data-processing module 13.

The coloring/cutting section 12 colors the outer surface 5 a of thecovering 5 of the electric wire 3 in color Q different from monochrome Pby means of coating the outer surface 5 a of the covering 5 of theelectric wire 3 or dyeing the outer surface 5 a of the covering 5 of theelectric wire 3 with a coloring liquid. Furthermore, thecoloring/cutting section 12 cuts the electric wire 3, colored inrequested color Q, in requested lengths.

“coloring outer surface 5a of the covering 5 of the electric wire 3”,mentioned herein, means “coloring outer surface 5a of the covering 5 ofthe electric wire 3 with a coloring material”. The coloring material isa liquid material made by dissolving or dispersing a color substance(industrial organic material) in a water or other solvent. Dye orpigment is used as a color substance. The coloring material herein meansboth a coloring liquid and a color-coating material.

The coloring liquid is made by that dye is dissolved or dispersed in asolvent. The color-coating material is made by that pigment is dispersedin a fluid dispersion. When coloring the outer surface 5 a of theelectric wire 3 with a coloring liquid, the dye penetrates in thecovering 5. When coloring the outer surface 5 a of the electric wire 3with a color-coating material, the pigment adheres to the outer surface5 a without penetrating in the covering 5. Thus, “coloring outer surfaceof covering” herein means “dyeing outer surface of a covering with a dyepartly or throughout” or “coating outer surface of a covering with acolor-coating material partly or throughout”.

The solvent and the fluid dispersion may have preferably an affinity forsynthetic resin of the covering 5 of the electric wire 3. Thereby, a dyecan penetrate securely in the covering or a pigment can adhere securelyto the outer surface of the covering.

The coloring/cutting section 12 colors the electric wires 3 withmonochromatic P outer surface 5 a in requested colors Q, and cuts theelectric wires 3 in requested lengths by using at least one of a firstcoloring/cutting device 21 shown in FIG. 4 and a second coloring/cuttingdevice 22 shown in FIG. 5. The coloring/cutting section 12 has at leastone of a first coloring/cutting device 21 and a second coloring/cuttingdevice 22.

The first coloring/cutting device 21, as shown in FIG. 4A, includes amain body 21 a, a pair of rollers 21 b, a plurality of sprayers 21 c, adryer 21 d, and a pair of cutting blades 21 e. The pair of rollers 21 bis disposed with a space mutually to move the electric wire 3 along thelength thereof between the pair of rollers.

Two sprayers 21 c are provided in a pair in the figure. The sprayer 21 csprays coating material or coloring liquid toward the electric wire 3moving between the pair of rollers 21 b. A pair of sprayers 21 c colorsthe outer surface 5 a of the electric wire 3 throughout the electricwire 3 by means of coating with coating material or dyeing with coloringliquid. The pair of sprayers 21 c colors the outer surface 5 a in colorQ different from monochrome P throughout the electric wire 3.

The dryer 21 d is provided downstream from the sprayer 21 c along amoving direction of the electric wire 3. The dryer 21 d dries up thecoating material or the coloring liquid sprayed on the outer surface 5 aof the electric wire 3 by the sprayer 21 c.

The pair of cutting blades 21 e is provided between the pair of rollers21 b and downstream from the dryer 21 d along a moving direction of theelectric wire 3. The pair of cutting blades 21 e cuts the electric wire3 by means of clamping the electric wire 3 therebetween.

The first coloring/cutting device 21, structured as mentioned above,colors the monochromatic P (shown by parallel slanting lines in thefigure) outer surface 5 a of the electric wire 3, shown in FIG. 4B, incolor Q (shown by parallel slanting lines in the figure) throughout asshown in FIG. 4C. Furthermore, the first coloring/cutting device 21detects the length of the electric wire 3 moving between the pair ofrollers 21 b, for example by number of rotation of the roller 21 b, andcuts the electric wire 3 in the requested length by mean s of clampingthe electric wire 3 between the pair of cutting blades 21 e.

The second coloring/cutting device 22, as shown in FIG. 5A, includes apair of rollers 22 a, an impregnating tank 22 b, a plurality of guiderollers 22 c, a squeegee 22 d, and a pair of cutting blades 21 e. Thepair of rollers 22 a is disposed with a space mutually to move theelectric wire 3 along the length thereof between the pair of rollers.

The impregnating tank 22 b is provided between the pair of rollers 22 a.The impregnating tank 22 b is disposed like a box opening upwardly. Theimpregnating tank 22 b contains a coloring liquid or a coating materialwith color Q different from monochrome P. The plurality of guide rollers22 c are disposed along a direction of moving the electric wire 3mutually with a space between the pair of rollers 22 a. The plurality ofguide rollers 22 c guide the electric wire 3 moving between the pair ofrollers 22 a to be dipped into a coloring liquid or a coating materialcontained in the impregnating tank 22 b.

The squeegee 22 d is disposed between the impregnating tank 22 b and theroller 22 a, downstream along a direction of moving the electric wire 3,of the pair of rollers 22 a. The squeegee 22 d removes an excess of acoloring liquid or a coating material on the outer surface 5 a of theelectric wire 3.

The pair of cutting blades 22 e is disposed between the rollers 22 a anddownstream from the squeegee 22 d along a direction of moving theelectric wire 3. The pair of cutting blades 21 e cuts the electric wire3 by means of clamping the electric wire 3 therebetween.

The second coloring/cutting device 22, structured as mentioned above,colors the monochromatic P (shown by parallel slanting lines in thefigure) outer surface 5 a of the electric wire 3, shown in FIG. 5B, incolor Q (shown by parallel slanting lines in the figure) throughout asshown in FIG. 5C. Furthermore, the second coloring/cutting device 22detects the length of the electric wire 3 moving between the pair ofrollers 22 a, for example by number of rotation of the roller 22 a, andcuts the electric wire 3 in the requested length by means of clampingthe electric wire 3 between the pair of cutting blades 22 e.

When manufacturing an electric wire 3 by the system 1 of manufacturingelectric wires by ordering, receiving an order of an electric wire 3 ornot is judged at Step S1 in FIG. 3. If an order of an electric wire 3 isnot received, Step S1 is repeated. When an order of an electric wire 3is received, process goes to Step S2.

In Step S2, the PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10 outputs thefirst datum of amount of electric wires DT1 to the manufacturing section11 and the second datum of amount of electric wires DT2 to thecoloring/cutting section 12. Thereby, the manufacturing section 11outputs the second datum of confirmation DK2 both to the PC 10 a in theorder-receiving section 10 and to the coloring/cutting section 12.Thereafter, the coloring/cutting section 12 outputs the third datum ofconfirmation DK3 to the PC 10 a in the order-receiving section 10. Then,the manufacturing section 11 manufactures a monochromatic P electricwire 3 in the length corresponding to the first datum of amount ofelectric wires DT1 and the order-receiving section 10 outputs the firstdatum of confirmation DK1 to the first orderer of electric wires 6 andthe second orderer of electric wires 7. Thereafter, the process goes toStep S3.

In Step S3, the monochromatic P electric wire 3 manufactured by themanufacturing section 11 is conveyed toward the coloring/cutting section12. The coloring/cutting section 12 colors the outer surface 5 a in therequested color Q and cuts the electric wire 3 in the requested lengthaccording to the second datum of amount of electric wires DT2.Thereafter, the process goes to Step 4. In Step 4, the electric wire 3is inspected with such as visual check at the coloring/cutting section12. The process goes to Step 5. In Step 5, the electric wire 3 isdelivered to the first-orderer of electric wires 6 and/or the secondorderer of electric wires 7.

As an example, the first datum of received orders D1 corresponding to a25-meter red electric wire 3 and a 13-meter blue electric wire 3 isinputted from the first orderer of electric wires 6. And, the seconddatum of received orders D2 corresponding to a 50-meter red electricwire 3 and a 300-meter blue electric wire 3 is inputted from the secondorderer of electric wires 7. Thereby, the order-receiving section 10outputs the first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 corresponding tomanufacturing a monochromatic P electric wire 3 with a total length of388 meters, sum of 25, 13, 50 and 300 meters, to the manufacturingsection 11. Furthermore, the order-receiving section 10 outputs thesecond datum of amount of electric wires DT2 corresponding to coloringthe 75-meter monochromatic P electric wire 3 in red and the 313-metermonochromatic P electric wire 3 in blue to the coloring/cutting section12. Furthermore, the order-receiving section 10 outputs the second datumof amount of electric wires DT2 corresponding to cutting the redelectric wire 3 in 25 meters and 50 meters red and the blue electricwire 3 in 13 meters and 300 meters to the coloring/cutting section 12.

The manufacturing section 11 manufactures the monochromatic P electricwire 3 of 388 meters according to the first datum of amount of electricwires DT1 and conveys the electric wire 3 to the coloring/cuttingsection 12. The coloring/cutting section 12 cuts the monochromatic Pelectric wire 3 in 75 meters and 313 meters according to the seconddatum of amount of electric wires DT2. Thereafter, the coloring/cuttingsection 12 colors the 75-meter electric wire 3 in red and the 313-meterelectric wire 3 in blue. After that, the coloring/cutting section 12cuts the red electric wire 3 in 25 meters and 50 meters and the blueelectric wire 3 in 13 meters and 300 meters. Then, all electric wires 3are inspected in a visual check or the like and are conveyed to thefirst orderer of electric wires 6 and/or the second orderer of electricwires 7.

According to this embodiment, after receiving an order of an electricwire 3, a monochromatic P electric wire 3 is manufactured in a requiredlength. Therefore, amount (length) of the electric wire 3 stored inadvance can be restrained. Furthermore, a monochromatic P electric wire3 is used so that a number of kinds of electric wires (color) stored inadvance can be restrained.

A monochromatic P electric wire 3 is manufactured in a required length,and the monochromatic P electric wire 3 is colored on the outer surface5 a and cut in the requested length, and delivered to the first ordererof electric wires 6 or the second orderer of electric wires 7.Therefore, storing an electric wire 3 temporarily except between themanufacturing section 11 and the coloring/cutting section 12 is notrequired. Therefore, amount of the electric wire 3 stored in advance,after receiving an order of an electric wire 3 until delivering theelectric wire 3, can be restrained.

Therefore, a room for storing an electric wire 3 in advance can berestrained and also a room for storing an electric wire 3 temporarilyduring manufacturing can be restrained. Then, cost of the electric wire3 itself and cost of a product using the electric wire 3 can berestrained. A monochromatic P electric wire 3 is manufactured in arequired length and the monochromatic P electric wire 3 is colored onthe outer surface 5 a and cut in the requested length, and delivered tothe first orderer of electric wires 6 or the second orderer of electricwires 7. Therefore, an excessive electric wire 3 does not exist aftermanufacturing the electric wire 3 until delivering the electric wire 3.Then, a useless electric wire 3 is prevented and materials can be saved.

When an electric wire 3 manufactured after receiving an order of theelectric wire is colorless the electric wire 3 can be colored securelyin the requested color. The monochromatic P electric wire 3 manufacturedat the manufacturing section 11 can be colored in one color and cut inrequested lengths at the coloring/cutting section 12. Or, amonochromatic P electric wire 3 manufactured at the manufacturingsection 11 can be colored in multi colors and cut in requested lengthsfor respective colors.

After receiving orders from the first orderer of electric wires 6 and/orthe second orderer of electric wires 7, the order-receiving section 10outputs the first datum of confirmation DK1 informing the delivery dateand the price of the electric wire 3 toward the first orderer ofelectric wires 6 and/or the second orderer of electric wires 7.Therefore, the first orderer of electric wires 6 and/or the secondorderer of electric wires 7 can confirm the delivery date and the costof electric wires being ordered.

The manufacturing section 11 outputs the second datum of confirmationDK2 informing the date possible to convey a monochromatic P or colorlesselectric wire 3 toward both of the order-receiving section 10 and thecoloring/cutting section 12. Therefore, status of process formanufacturing electric wires 3 can be checked at the order-receivingsection 10, and at the coloring/cutting section 12, the date when amonochromatic P or colorless electric wire 3 is conveyed can beconfirmed.

The coloring/cutting section 12 outputs the third datum of confirmationDK3, informing the date possible to deliver the electric wire coloredand cut correspondingly to the second datum of amount of electric wiresDT2 to the first orderer 6 and the second orderer 7, toward theorder-receiving section 10. Therefore, status of process formanufacturing electric wires 3 can be checked securely at theorder-receiving section 10.

The embodiment, mentioned above, describes an electric wire 3structuring a wire harness provided in a car. An electric wire 3manufactured by the method of manufacturing according to this inventioncan be used not only in a car but also in a various electronic equipmentsuch as a portable computer or in a various electric machine.

In this invention, as a coloring means for coloring an electric wire 3,dipping, spraying, squirting, printing, transfer printing or othervarious means can be used. As a coloring liquid or a coloring material,acrylic paint, ink (dye or pigment), UV ink or the like can be used.

In the embodiment mentioned above, following methods of manufacturingelectric wires by ordering 3 and systems 1 of manufacturing electricwires by ordering 3 can be provided.

1. A method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering; characterizedby receiving an order of an electric wire 3, manufacturing amonochromatic P electric wire 3 in a required length, coloring the outersurface 5 a of the monochromatic P electric wire 3, cutting the electricwire 3 in requested lengths, and delivering the electric wires 3 to theorderer 6 and the orderer 7 of the electric wire 3.

2. A method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering; characterizedby receiving an order of an electric wire 3, manufacturing amonochromatic P electric wire 3 in a required length, coloring the outersurface 5 a of the monochromatic P electric wire 3 in multi colors,cutting the electric wire 3 in requested lengths for respective colors,and delivering the electric wires 3 to the orderer 6 and the orderer 7of the electric wire 3.

3. A system 1 of manufacturing electric wires by ordering, comprisingthe order-receiving section 10 for receiving an order of the electricwire 3, the manufacturing section 11 for manufacturing the electric wire3, and the coloring/cutting section 12 for coloring the electric wire 3in the requested color and cutting the electric wire 3 in the requestedlength; characterized by that the order-receiving section 10 generatesthe first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 informing a requiredlength of the electric wire 3 corresponding to order amount of theelectric wire 3 from the first orderer of electric wires 6 and thesecond orderer of electric wires 7, and outputs the first datum ofamount of electric wires DT1 to the manufacturing section 11, andsimultaneously generates the second datum of amount of electric wiresDT2 informing required lengths for respective colors of the electricwire 3 corresponding to order amount of the electric wire 3, from thefirst orderer of electric wires 6 and the second orderer of electricwires 7 and outputs the second datum of amount of electric wires DT2 tothe coloring/cutting section 12, and the manufacturing section 11manufactures a monochromatic P electric wire 3 in amount according tothe first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 and conveys the electricwire 3 to the coloring/cutting section 12, and the coloring/cuttingsection 12 colors and cuts the monochromatic P electric wire 3 accordingto the second datum of amount of electric wires DT2 and delivers theelectric wires 3 to the first orderer of electric wires 6 and the secondorderer of electric wires 7.

4. The system 1 of manufacturing electric wires by ordering according toitem 3, characterized by that, when receiving an order of the electricwire 3 from the first orderer of electric wires 6 and the second ordererof electric wires 7, the order-receiving section 10 outputs the firstdatum of confirmation DK1 informing the delivery date and the price ofthe electric wire 3 to the first orderer of electric wires 6 and thesecond orderer of electric wires 7.

5. The system 1 of manufacturing electric wires by ordering according toitem 3 or 4, characterized by that, when receiving the first datum ofamount of electric wires DT1 from the order-receiving section 10, themanufacturing section 11 outputs the second, datum of confirmation DK2,informing the date possible to convey amount of the electric wire 3corresponding to the first datum of amount of electric wires DT1 to thecoloring/cutting section 12, both to the order-receiving section 10 andto the coloring/cutting section 12.

6. The system 1 of manufacturing electric wires by ordering according toitem 5, characterized by that, when receiving the second datum of amountof electric wires DT2 from the order-receiving section 10 and the seconddatum of confirmation DK2 from the manufacturing section 11, thecoloring/cutting section 12 outputs the third datum of confirmation DK3,informing the date possible to deliver the electric wire 3 being coloredand cut correspondingly to the second datum of amount of electric wiresDT2 to the first orderer 6 and the second orderer 7, to theorder-receiving section 10.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexamples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be notedthat various change and modifications can be made with the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A method of manufacturing electric wires by ordering comprising thesteps of: receiving on order of an electric wire; manufacturing amonochromatic electric wire in a required length; coloring an outersurface of the monochromatic electric wire; cutting the electric wire inthe requested length; and delivering the electric wire to an orderer ofelectric wires.
 2. The method of manufacturing electric wires byordering according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire beingmanufactured in a required length after receiving an order of anelectric wire is colorless.
 3. A method of manufacturing electric wiresby ordering comprising the steps of: receiving an order of an electricwire; manufacturing a monochromatic electric wire in a required length;coloring an outer surface of the monochromatic electric wirerespectively in multi colors; cutting the electric wire in requestedlengths for respective colors; and delivering the electric wire to anorderer of electric wires.
 4. The method of manufacturing electric wiresby ordering according to claim 3, wherein the electric wire beingmanufactured in a required length after receiving an order of anelectric wire is colorless.
 5. A system of manufacturing electric wiresby ordering comprising: an order-receiving section for receiving ordersof electric wires; a manufacturing section for manufacturing electricwires; and a coloring/cutting section for coloring an electric wire in arequested color and cutting the electric wire in a requested length;wherein the order-receiving section generates a first datum of amount ofelectric wires informing a required length of the electric wireaccording to amounts of the electric wires ordered by an orderer andoutputs the first datum of amount of electric wires to the manufacturingsection; wherein the order-receiving section generates a second datum ofamount of electric wires informing lengths for respective colors of theelectric wires according to amounts of the electric wires ordered by anorderer and outputs the second datum of amount of electric wires to thecoloring/cutting section; wherein the manufacturing section manufacturesa monochromatic electric wire in amount corresponding to the first datumof amount of electric wires and conveys the monochromatic electric wireto the cutting/coloring section; wherein the coloring/cutting sectioncolors the monochromatic electric wire and cuts the colored electricwire according to the second datum of amount of electric wires, anddelivers the electric wire to the orderer.
 6. The system ofmanufacturing electric wires by ordering according to claim 5, whereinthe electric wire being manufactured in a required length afterreceiving an order of an electric wire is colorless.
 7. The system ofmanufacturing electric wires by ordering according to claim 5 or 6,wherein, when the order-receiving section receives an order of anelectric wire from an orderer, the order-receiving section inputs afirst datum of confirmation informing a delivery date and a price of theelectric wire toward the orderer.
 8. The system of manufacturingelectric wires by ordering according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, when themanufacturing section receives the first datum of amount of electricwires from the order-receiving section, the manufacturing sectionoutputs a second datum of confirmation, informing a date possible toconvey an amount of the electric wire corresponding to the first datumof amount of electric wires to the coloring/cutting section, toward bothof the order-receiving section and the coloring/cutting section.
 9. Thesystem of manufacturing electric wires by ordering according to claim 8,wherein, when the coloring/cutting section receives the second datum ofamount of electric wires from the order-receiving section and the seconddatum of confirmation from the manufacturing section, thecoloring/cutting section outputs a third datum of confirmation,informing a date possible to deliver the electric wire colored and cutcorrespondingly to the second datum of amount of electric wires to theorderer, toward the order-receiving section.